"He's a rogue," Donner said, of the 34-year-old actor. "Channing -- he's a rascal, just like Remy LeBeau."

According to Us Weekly, LeBeau/Gambit is a card-wielding, bilingual mutant who has the power to manipulate energy. "He can handle the action," Donner said of the actor. "We all know that. He's got a really good heart."

Tatum has action film experience, including "White House Down," "21 Jump Street," and the upcoming "22 Jump Street." He'll also appear in upcoming sci-fi movie epic "Jupiter Ascending," with Mila Kunis, which comes out in July.

This film publicity image shows Channing Tatum in a scene from "White House Down." (AP Photo/Sony Columbia Pictures, Reiner Bajo)

In the X-Men world, Gambit is romantically linked to Rogue/Marie D'Ancanto, who has been played by Anna Paquin.

At last month's MTV Movie Awards, Tatum told MTV News that he would "die" to play Gambit. "I met with Lauren Shuler Donner and I would love (to play him)," the actor said. "Gambit is really the only X-Men that I've ever loved."